A lot of people are mislead into thinking that there is a right and a wrong way to shop. This, however is painfully untrue. Nevertheless, there is a more efficient way to shop and I am here to tell you what that might be. I took a little road trip to the Poughkeepsie Galleria to do a little research. So let's shop!
Where to Start?
It may be a bit overwhelming to see all these stores and not know where to start. A good thing to do is take a quick lap around the mall without picking anything up to see your options. Can't wait to get your hands on some clothes? The general rule of thumb is to start with shopping for the harder things like pants (like at Gap, Old Navy, or J.Crew) than work your way to the easier things (jewelry anyone?) at H&M or Forever 21. This way you'll keep yourself motivated and you'll be less tired and frustrated when you're trying on jeans. Another thing is to always END the day with the shoe shopping. That way, you'll really get a good sense of how hard shoes are to walk in when your feet are sore from walking around the mall all day.
Sales
It's happened to us all before: You see a top and it's okay compared to other things that you have bought but totally not your style. Maybe you see a great jacket but it just doesn't fit you quite right. Maybe you see a necklace that you like but it's so cheap that you know it's going to break within a day of wearing it. But you know what? We buy it. And why is that? Because of SALES. They can turn an "ehh…" item into a "OMG WHAT A DEAL!" item. But these "deals" will simply sit in your closet year after year until one day you're sending them off to charity because you never wore them. And then you've spent your money on virtually nothing. To avoid the temptation of sales, ask yourself the "do I really need this?" question and then think of at least three outfits to pair it with. If it passes this test than it is most definitely a true bargin.
My Shoprocess
Yes, that is a combination of the words "shop" and "process". This is my shoprocess, what I do when I see an item that I like: So first of all, scour the store for pieces that speak to your personal style, are lifestyle appropriate (a.k.a. no red carpet dresses. unless you plan to walk the red carpet soon in which case I encourage you to shop for those), are in a flattering color, and aren't cheaply made. Let's see what I picked out.
Cute! This would be a great addition to my wardrobe, it would give a pop of color to otherwise boring outfits, it's PINK which is a color that I don't own much of (or any, for that matter) and it's a nice material: a sort-of satin with cotton sleeves. Here are three outfits that I would wear it with:
1) Black skinny jeans and gold chain necklace tucked under the collar paired with ankle booties.
2) Capris and a boyfriend blazer with oxfords.
3) A black pencil skirt, a denim jacket, and leopard print flats (meow!)
But enough talk, let's try this thing on! Cue the dressing room...
Me doing a little dressing room dance with my mom (two eyes are better than one!). This top has great shape with a defined waist. It fits nicely and even though the price isn't fabulous ($57) it's a nice cut and super versitile. Before you decide to buy it, don't forget to check the back...
Dispite my worried expression, I can ensure you that the back fits perfectly, with a little added flair from the drape. So I bought it. Yay!
In Conclusion…
Shopping is fun, no doubt about it. There's a certain thrill when you see yourself in an item that is flattering and fun. But let's be honest, not every item is going to be perfect. In fact, most items probably won't be. If everything fit perfectly that thrill wouldn't exist. However you can't let this get you down. You have to learn that not everything is going to fit perfectly off the rack and that's why you have to learn to go a size up and tailor down. It may be costly but it's worth it because it's an investment in your self-confidence. Now I'm going to go frolic about in my new pink top. Stay fabulous, my friends.
Love,
Dorothy
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